"Don, during our last class reunion, we talked about our young lives in Belmond. You truly gave back, the values we learned from our upbringing. The lives you have effected, the advice you shared, and the values you displayed, will never ever be forgotten. You truly made a difference. Larry Larson"
In loving memory of
Donald A. Hoppel
April 10, 1935 - November 22, 2013
GARNER - Donald A. Hoppel, 78, of Garner died Friday, November 22, 2013 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, November 26th at Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake with Pastor Kirk Wilke officiating. Following the service his body will be cremated. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Concord Township Cemetery with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 P.M., Monday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., in Garner and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Garner-Hayfield Education Foundation to be used for a track/photo timing system or to the donor's charity of choice.
Donald A. Hoppel, the son of Clarence and Connie (Wenzel) Hoppel, was born April 10, 1935 in Belmond. He graduated from Belmond High School in 1954. He attended Webster City Junior College and from there continued his education at Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls graduating in 1958. Don served his country in the Iowa Air National Guard in Fort Dodge from 1958 to 1964. He signed a teaching contract at Garner-Hayfield Community School District for the 1959-1960 school year. He taught 7-8th grade science, was the athletic trainer and coached football, basketball and track. He received his master's degree from Northeast Missouri Teacher's College in Kirksville, MO in 1964. In 1965, he became building principal for grades 5-8. On August 12, 1967 he married Linda Gipp of Decorah. They were blessed with two sons, Scott and Mark. In 1969, Don was named the school's Athletic Director. Two of his many highlights during his athletic director's tenure was the 1991 football team winning the 2-A State Football Championship and the all weather track being named after him in 1993. Don retired from his teaching duties at Garner-Hayfield in the spring of 1993. After his retirement, he enjoyed contact with students as a substitute teacher, working at Garner-Hayfield sporting events and watching Iowa football and basketball games. Don was named Grand Marshal of the 2008 Garner-Hayfield Homecoming parade. He was a lifetime follower of the Cleveland Indians baseball team and Iowa Hawkeyes. The last few years, his most enjoyment was from his friends, family and grandchildren.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake and was a lifetime member of the Iowa State Education Association and the National Education Association. He also was a member of the National and State Athletic Director's Associations and an honorary member of the Belmond High School B Club. Don was recognized with the School Administrator's Award from the Iowa High School Athletic Association in March of 1993 and received the Northeast District Athletic Director of the Year Award in April of 1993. In March of 1995, he was inducted into the Iowa Athletic Director's Association Hall of Fame.
Don is survived by his wife, Linda, of Garner; two sons, Scott (Beth) Hoppel of Osage and their two children, Nicholas and Katherine and Mark (Tammy) Hoppel of Mason City and their two children, Michael and Marissa; and a brother, Doug (Colleen) Hoppel of Little Canada, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Don's family would like to thank the doctors, techs, nurses and secretaries at the Mason City Dialysis Center and Hospice of North Iowa for their great care and services
Tributes
"Don Hoppel was the Ultimate Point Guard! He made everyone around him better. Hew was a leader's leader, coach's coach, and a teacher's teacher. It was marvelous the way Don could straighten out messes the rest of us made. While he will be greatly missed, he will never, ever be forgotten. When faced with a dilemma, my mantra remains: "What would Hoppel do?" "
"I am sorry that someone you love has died. Acts 24:15 reassures us that there will soon be a resurrection for those who have died. Our God Jehovah gives us a real hope to be reunited with our dead loved ones. - John 5:28, 29"
"Sympathies to the entire Hoppel family. Don was a class act that was appreciated by all of north Iowa. He truly impacted the lives of all people he came in contact with."
"When I hear the word respect I think of Mr. Hoppel. He taught us how to do things the right way. Both in school and in athletics. I modeled a lot of my teaching and coaching philosophies after what he taught me. He was even a God parent of one of my children. He will be missed by the whole community."
"Hop--just the greatest. I worked with many people in my 35 years in education and never/ ever worked with a better person. I am very proud to say I knew him. The best to the family. Mark Whitney"
"YOU WILL BE MISSED, COACH."
"Our prayers go out to the Linda, Scott, Mark and family. Although Hop may have been short in stature, he definitely walked tall with respect. A grip on the neck, a flick of a pen, and the twirl of his finger to excuse you from lunch is all he had to do. Great man.--Bart Powell and family. GHHS 1986."
"My prayers go out to your family at this time. Don was and always will be Mr. Hoppel to me. At such a vulnerable time in my life he really helped keep me from big trouble. Mr. Hoppel remains on my virtual board of directors as I walk through my own life and raise my own kids. When Scott would have guys over to shoot hoops or watch ball games, Mr. Hoppel and Linda were always such gracious hosts. I will always remember their awesome basement. This family was a pillar in Garner in so many ways - there could be a book written about Mr. Hoppel! He truly was a great man! God Bless You All!"
"Thoughts and prayers to the Hoppel family. My fond memories of Garner-Hayfield school include my junior high principal. He demonstrated his love for ALL his students by how he lived every day. May you have comfort in the knowledge that Don is now in Heaven and you will see him again! Cheryl Strutzenberg Gilg"
"Another great man just entered the gates of heaven. There are not many that has a "Mr." ALWAYS attached to their name but that is called" earned respect.". Although I was not given the "Hoppel grip" I was always aware it could happen. With that he taught more than the grip could give. When Hayfield school consolidated with Garner he made sure my class of eight felt as we were one of his already. My greatest memory of him came later at one of our class of 1967 reunions when we left the parade and teepeed his house. Although there were other classes having reunions that day there that day, he made sure to come to our tent and "chew" us out saying he knew it was our class as we were always his rebels. But with the twinkle of his eye he knew it was with our love we did.....that was after wanting us to clean it up! Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal. Thank you Mr. Hoppel for making such a HUGE impact on my life. You will be missed. My deepest sympathy to the family."
"I am so happy Don invited me to visit him last SUNDAY. Don told me stories about Jack and him on and off the courts and fields. Jack Steinberg held him in high esteem ... as an Educator and a adm and a Coach.,,,,,,, and a wonderful friend . Don modeled the behavior he wanted for his students and players,.............................................. and friends .I am so glad I knew Don Hoppel.... Dorothy Steinberg "
"When i think of Mr. Hoppel I remember a man that was small in stature and yet year after year was able to command the respect of teenagers no less. Maybe the Hopple Grip had something to do with that. As I see the many remembrances of him out on the social network I know it was much deeper. Gods Blessings to his family and Gods Speed Mr. Hopple"
"I was always afraid of Mr Hoppel. I remember watching as he marched errant students down the hall with his "famous" Hoppel grip!! As I look back now, he was a disciplinarian like none other and maintained order and respect. I remember the fondness and respect that my mother always had for Don after serving on the contract bargaining committee with him as a member of NEA. I also remember him hugging me after my mom passed away. He will be missed! May you cherish your memories and be comforted at this time if loss!"
"With sincere sympathy to the family. He was a great man and will be missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Don and Donna Jacobsen"
"Coach Hoppel left an impression on all those who ever entered into his presence. He was a model and inspiration for many of us who also chose a career in teaching and coaching. We have lost a great mentor and role model, but his memories will live in all of us."
"We have lost one of the all time best! He loved his family...everyone he met was a friend...he was a leader for the coaches and athletes at Garner Hayfield....and he always felt like the Cleveland Indians were just one pitcher short of being the best team in baseball. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. You have a lifetime of stories to tell.....share them often. Don was a great man. Tim and Sue Fleming and family"
"I am so sorry for your loss. Don was a teacher that made a big impression in my life. I have been in education for 40 years. I tried to carry the principles with me into my teaching. Don was a tremendous example! Jan(Tarrence)Bettin-Baseman God bless and keep you!"
"Mere words could never describe the impact he made in the lives of countless of students. He truly was a treasure. He was someone who I respected and admired and we were blessed to have known him. "
"I am so sad to hear of his passing. He was such a fixture in our school system and held the respect of this community. You have our deepest sympathy."
"One of a kind and simply the best. Don will be truly missed by many. "
"My thoughts and prayers are with you as you say goodbye. He will be remembered by many. Garner has lost a truly great man. "
"He was simple the best"
"Mr. Hoppel was simply the best! In my 33 years in education he was the most organized, fairest, and caring. He was a great role model for many students, teachers, coaches and administrators. He told it like it was no matter what! He may have not invented the term"tough love" when working with people but he had his hand in formulating the definition. I am proud to called him friend and mentor. God bless him, and his wonderful family. Darrell Schumacher "
"I am proud to have grown up and had Mr. Hoppel as my principal. He taught us so many lessons about how to be a good person. He taught us to respect ourselves and others, to have good sportsmanship, and to have pride in all we did. I have many fond memories of growing up and being a student at Garner-Hayfield Schools. I have been an educator is 26 years. I am glad to have had an example like Mr. Hoppel! With Sympathy, Lisa Young Watts"
"My prayers and condolences to the entire family. What a great man and example to so many of us. He could grip a neck or tug and ear with the best of them BUT when he smiled at you, you felt it deep down inside. Thankful to have grown up in Garner!"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Hoppel family. God bless you all. Eric Best and Family"
"My deepest sympathies. Mr. Hoppel was my inspiration for coaching, Athletic Directing and Athletic Training. I admired him greatly and was proud to have known him."
"Our deepest sympathies to the whole Hoppel Family. May the wonderful memories you have of him carry you through any difficult days ahead. Take Care, Nicole, Aaron and Morgan McGlynn"